In order to start playing online poker, you need to sign up for an account with an online poker site. Once you’ve done this, you can go on to deposit money into your account. You can deposit as little as $5 and as much as several hundred dollars, depending on the site you’re playing at. You can also choose the time it takes for your deposit to clear – it can take seconds, several hours, or even a few days.
If you’re just starting out, the best way to learn the game is to play low stakes poker. The stakes are low enough to help you learn the basics of the game while not being so high that you’re intimidated by the competition. Many sites also offer beginners tables. These tables are free to join and are usually available to new customers for the first 30 days after they sign up. During this time, you’ll be free of the more experienced players and can practice your new strategies without being worried about losing money.
You can join a variety of online poker sites to find the best game for your needs. There are poker rooms that cater to recreational players as well as professionals. PokerStars, Full Tilt, and Bovada all have special programs for beginners and players of all skill levels. Some sites even have beginner tables with lower stakes. Be sure to join one of these sites if you’re only looking to play for fun.
Once you’ve signed up for an account, you’ll need to verify your identity with additional documents. These documents can include your social security number and date of birth. Some sites will also ask for your utility bill, so that they can make sure the address on file is yours. Once you’ve verified your identity, you can start playing for real money online!
Another difference between online and live poker is the speed of the game. Live poker can be very long and boring, while online poker can be done quickly. In some shorthanded games, tables can deal as many as sixty hands per hour. In addition, you can play multiple tables at once. That means that you can play more hands per hour than you could on a live table.
Texas has strict gambling laws, but there are many exceptions to the law. Several offshore poker sites provide real money services to Texas residents. Some of these sites also offer casino, racebooks, and sports betting. Texas residents who play online poker are not breaking any laws. The Texas anti-gambling statutes have specific exemptions for private gambling, but these apply only to players.